Santa Fe’s Cultural Blend
By Barbara Morales

There’s no city like it. Santa Fe grabs hold of you and never lets go.

And if you can break away, you leave with a lasting memory of sprawling mesas, mellow warm days, a mix of Spanish and Southwest architecture, Native American markets and an array of culinary options unique to New Mexico. The oldest capital in North America and the oldest European city west of the Mississippi, Santa Fe was founded by the Spanish thirteen years before the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower. In fact, had they traveled instead by land to Santa Fe, they might have found first-rate accommodations awaiting them in this already well-established city. The Palace of the Governor’s, the oldest public building in America, and the Santa Fe Fiesta, established in 1972 to commemorate the Spanish conquest of New Mexico in 1692, are just two of the attractions that draw countless tourists each year. With a charm all its own, Santa Fe has maintained its architectural, artistic and cultural roots which provide a unique insight into New Mexico’s rich past. First-rate dining experiences, contemporary and traditional art galleries, state-of-the-art museums and unique boutiques await the traveler looking for an unforgettable experience.

National monuments, historical sites and recreational activities abound in and around the Santa Fe area. Outdoor enthusiasts can access close-by national parks and beautiful rivers for hiking, canoeing, fishing, bicycling and horseback riding. Art lovers can spend countless hours on Canyon Road, on the Plaza or in hidden back streets, gallery hopping in one of the world’s largest art capitals. The Georgia O’Keefe museum is a must-see and a popular destination for many visitors. Restaurants offer a plethora of fabulous cuisines. Whatever the preference, Italian, American, Spanish, Mediterranean, Mexican, French, Indian, Asian, Cuban, organic or vegetarian…Santa Fe restaurants have a menu for every taste. Known for offering sanctuary, healing and relaxation, Santa Fe is rich in resorts, spas, and inns, all offering firstclass services.

The Santa Fe restaurant scene is one-of-a-kind. The Inn and Spa at Loretto (seen on pages 42 & 43), for example, ranks as one of the top hotels where one can sit back, take in the view, dine superbly or simply be content to rest and enjoy every imaginable luxury. With extensive and unique spa services and delightful rooms, the Inn and Spa at Loretto, a Nobel House Hotel and Resort, hosts its signature SpaTerre Santa Fe, as well as Baleen, the onsite restaurant. Balinese spa treatments and Executive Chef David Wilson’s classic dishes are sure to entice the weary sightseer. Warm up your palate with an award winning lunch of Baleen’s famous clam chowder followed by a robust Wild Alaskan Salmon Burger with avocado, tomato and shaved fennel. After a long day of touring Santa Fe, Baleen’s dinner menu provides a much-deserved respite with inviting classic entrees such as Roquefort crusted filet mignon and river rock roasted rainbow trout. Reservations can be made online for both the Inn and Spa and Baleen restaurant.

Julian’s Restaurant boasts outstanding Italian regional cuisine, an extensive Italian wine list and an ambiance that will engage the diner in a memorable culinary adventure: begin with the Anatra al Affumicato con Mele, thinly sliced smoked duck breast served with sliced apples and truffle oil; move on to one of the main entrées such as Ravioli con Carciofi e Salsa Rosa, a pasta stuffed with asparagus and served with a sauce of sliced baby artichoke and tomato cream sauce or the Rombo in Guazzetto Alla Romana, halibut braised in olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, mustard, raisins and pine nuts.

If you’re looking for a place to take your kids and your lighter side to relax in a fun atmosphere and taste unparalleled Southwestern true-pit mesquite smoked barbeque, saunter over to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame BarBQ and Western Grill (seen on page 45). This Santa Fe institution features nightly entertainment, a fine accompaniment to a cold beer or frozen margarita. The restaurant’s signature dishes are served up by cowboys and cowgirls inside or outside on the patio…T-bone steaks, slow cooked chicken and brisket, as well as classic New Mexican dishes stuff the menu. With lunch and dinner options such as Whisky Pork Chops, fajitas, chicken fried steak, quesadillas, burgers, salads, and vegetarian options The Cowgirl Hall of Fame will keep you coming back to enjoy delicious and timeless cuisine.

Summer is a great time to visit Santa Fe, but August is key to the whole Santa Fe experience. The annual Santa Fe Indian Market fills the city’s hotels to capacity so reservations need to be made up to a year in advance. This year, the show opens on Saturday, August 19th and runs throughout the week. Located on the Plaza, the event will host more than a thousand local and regional artists, a youth market, countless entertainment venues and food and demonstration booths. For a tasty sample of the local cuisine, vendors have it all: grilled and roasted corn, grilled mutton, homemade fry bread, atole (blue corn mush), bowls of green and red chile, traditional Pueblo style oven bread and pies, blue corn pancakes and much more. Add to the mix the Pueblo pottery and jewelry vendors exhibiting their artistry on the Plaza, and the Native American Arts Show will add one more ingredient to your Santa Fe experience.

Santa Fe easily meets the visitor’s every expectation: outdoor fun near desert, mountains and rivers; a contemporary and traditional art scene; historical sights and museums that open history’s door into New Mexico’s past; hotels, inns, and spas designed to offer first-rate services; and above all, a blend of Southwest, Spanish, Native American, European and Asian cuisines that reflect so perfectly the cultural blend of this unique city.

CONTACT INFO
Inn and Spa at Loretto
211 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-5531
www.innatloretto.com

Cowgirl Hall of Fame BarBQ and Western Grill
319 S. Guadalupe St.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505)982-2565
www.santafenow.com/rest/cowgirl

Julian’s Restaurant
221 Shelby
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505)988-2355
www.juliansofsantafe.com

Santa Fe Indian Market
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts
PO Box 969
Santa Fe, NM 87504
www.swaia.org